Pokrywa zwietrzelinowa masywu Szklar i jej niklonośność [The Szklary massif nickel-bearing weathering cover]

Abstract

The thickness of the weathering cover on the Szklary Massif ranges from zero (no cover) to 76 metres. The weathered rock forms troughs and sinks of different shapes and depths. Its form indicates that a fissure network played an important role in the evolution of the weathering processes. The fissures allowed the weathering processes to penetrate deeply. The weathering cover is composed of alteration products of three rock varieties: serpentinites, metamorphic and magmatic rocks. The author distinguished 9 varieties of serpentinite, 6 varieties of metamorphic rock and 3 varieties of magmatic rock weathering covers. The thickness of these covers ranges from several cm to 47.9 metres. The weathering cover types of the three different rock varieties generally have sharp boundaries, while within a given rock variety, the weathering cover types have boundaries which, as a rule, are poorly expressed.
The nickel in the weathered rocks of the Szklary massif is genetically related to serpentinite rocks containing from 0.18 to 0.28 wt % Ni. The largest nickel concentration occurs in the weathering cover of the central area, at Mount Szklana Góra. The serpentinite weathering covers are the main centre of nickel concentration, while the metamorphic and magmatic rock weathering covers have higher nickel contents where they are in contact with the serpentinite weathering covers, or if they were within the scope of activity of local nickel-bearing weathering solutions.